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Moving young apple tree - okay to do it now?

Hello!
I've been following the Ceanothus posts with interest - I've got quite a large one which didn't look too great last year, after the winter it just looks awful now, lots of brown leaves with the bottom half having none whatsoever!
Have decided it's not earning its keep so has to go.  Have got a 2 year old apple tree at the bottom of the garden which is only doing okay, I suspect because it's not getting enough sun.
Would it be okay to move it now to replace the Ceanothus?  Any tips on the best way to do it to give it a better chance of survival?
Many thanks for all replies in advance!
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Posts

  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Autumn/early winter is the best time to move it really. We moved ours then and it settled in very well. Personally i would wait but others might have more experience with this. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2018
    Spring is very late this year.  If it's still quite small, and the leaf buds aren't fat and bursting open yet, and providing you give it a well prepared new home, then I'd go for it ... but only if you can do it within the next couple of days . Dig it up with as big a root ball as you can manage. :) 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sandra100Sandra100 Posts: 130
    Thank you Bijdezee and Dovefromabove.
    I can't really wait, removing the Ceanothus will leave a massive gap in my border, and as I don't think the apple tree is performing as well as it could be in its current spot, it seems like the ideal solution.
    I've just had a good look at the apple tree Dove, and the leaf buds are only small.  Can I pick your brains about a 'well prepared new home'?  Presumably fresh compost in the planting hole?  Any other tips?  
    I'll do it as soon as I can persuade my 19 year old son (he's the muscle!) to get his finger out!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think this is the best advice on the internet for planting fruit trees
    https://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/articles/fruit-tree-planting-instructions 

    If you manage to get a good rootball with lots of soil intact then treat it as 'container grown'. 

    If, despite all your best efforts, all the soil drops off when you dig it up then treat it as a bare rooted tree. 

    Let us know how you get on  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sandra100Sandra100 Posts: 130
    Thanks Dove.
    Gosh that is a lot of information.  I've printed it off, so can have a good read of it later!
    I'm recovering from a r bad 'lurgy', so don't want to do too much today.  The Ceanothus is dug out, I've weeded all around it, so tomorrow will ensure the apple tree is dug out and planted as best I can.  I will let you know how I get on.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Just skim read it and highlight the relevant bits ... you don't need to read it all ... it covers every base.  

    Hope you're feeling well soon ... have one of these
     

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sandra100Sandra100 Posts: 130
    Yes I've done that with the article.  Retired for the day now.
    Ooooh that drink looks great.  My husband makes me one with honey, lemon and ginger but that star anise and cinnamon looks fab too!  Might have to give that a go.
    Thanks!
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    I would prune it as well and/or remove fruit which forms this year; give it chance for the roots to grow and establish. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    If it's only a couple of years old there won't be much to prune will there?  And pruning at this time of year will encourage the formation of water shoots which you really don't want on a young tree. 

    Removing any fruit that forms is a good idea tho  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845
    edited April 2018
    I've an apple I'm trying to move, and I'm being slowed down because I need to shuffle some trees including a viburnum opulus.  I read your point about opening buds, and the viburnum is on its way - is it still okay to transplant that?  Only a few years old at about a metre high.

    It may be a late spring, but I still haven't caught up.
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